Presented by UMSL, Chinese Folk Dance at J.C. Penney Auditorium on May 8

Presented by the Center for International Studies, Dr. Y.S. Tsiang Professorship in Chinese Studies, University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) and the Chinese Culture and Education Foundation (CCEF),  the Chinese Folk Dance Company of the New York Chinese Culture Center will have a performance on Wednesday, May 8, 2002, 8:00 PM at J.C. Penney Auditorium.  Tickets are adult $15, seniors $11, students $7.  Box Office - 314/516-7299.  A special limited amount discount ticket $10 for St. Louis Chinese American readers.  First come, first served. Please call Scanews 314/432-3858 ASAP to purchase your tickets.

Founded in 1973, the New York Chinese Cultural Center is a community based arts organization that nurtures, teaches, and preserves the traditional Chinese performing arts for present and future generations of Chinese-Americans, while introducing Chinese dance, music, and visual arts to audiences throughout the United States. Through performances, workshops, lecture-demonstrations, classes, and recordings, NYCCC creates a focus for community pride and inspiration, builds bridges to other communities, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of Chinese arts and culture. 

The Chinese Folk Dance Company is the resident touring Company of NYCCC comprised of award-winning professional dancers and musicians. The Company brings the richness of traditional dance, Peking Opera and music to audiences across the country. In 2000 alone, the Company presented over 900 performances, workshops, master classes and lecture/demonstrations for 130,000 people of all ages. They have toured to theaters, schools and cultural centers in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, DC.  May 8's performance at UMSL will be their first time show at St. Louis, Missouri.

10 dancers from The Chinese Folk Dance Company, led by Xiaoliang Yang, Artistic Director, will be on St. Louis stage.  Ms. Xiaoliang Yang is a graduate of the Beijing Military Performing Arts Academy and a member of the Chinese Dancers Association. Arrived at New York from China, Ms. Yang is a teacher, a choreographer and a dancer. Her performances of classical and folk dances earned many top prizes in China's national dance competitions since 1986. She was invited to participate in the 1988 International Arts Festival in Hong Kong and performed "the Mural". In 1993, Her work as a choreographer was included in the "Dance Volume" of the publication 'Contemporary China'. In 1994, two of her students won first and third prizes in the fourth National "Tao-Li Cup" Dance Competition. Ms. Yang has performed and choreographed with the Chinese Folk Dance Company since 1995.